Building construction



111111111919. C. sum mL 2,165,686

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION July 11, 1939. c. sulTER Er AL 2,165,686

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION v Filed sept. 18.1957 s sheets-sheet 2 62 ze ,Q 77 z z YE- ATTORNEY.

Juli''ll'l, 1.939. c-sulTER x-:r AL 2,165,585

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 123, 1957 3 Sheets-Shea*l 3 4,111 asf.

ATTORNEY.

Patented July 11, 1939 2,165,686.,

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Gharles- Suiterand Haroldrlt:Y Suiten, Detroit, Michi This inventiongreiates to new and usefui im-` uniquemeanslpermittinethelevelnefofthevarprovements in building construction, andftheobv OllSr-:llnlSiOfetheCeiling ands-the' means fOr unit- J'ect of the invention is to provideprei-fabricateding the same in edge to edgerelationship' Subbuilding'elements so relatedand arranged-as to Sequentrto thef'leveling OperatOn 'D0 provide a be erected in a minimum of time and at minisubstantialandrigid ceilingl5` mum cost, 4 Theinventien furtherconsists-in certain struc- It is customary generally in constructinglvaritural detaS-thatmay be required at special points @us types of budings, including dweungs, to suchfor instance, asfa windowor door frame of constructthe walls or other portions of brick or` pretfabllcated fOrm'nlthe interor'of Which there block or wood studding, siding'etc., that require iSl mounted `alias@ frame for the window and 10 to be fabricated-attire point of erection-` and thus which.isfexternallvI formed-t0 unite :the panels 0r tota; large degree hand made and are not adapt- Wthfthe columns in a tonguefandfgrooverelationed to machine production, and alfeature of,` this ship, dependngupon itslocation. invention resides in the provisionlof pre-formed These` and Other'V features and Objects 0f the columns; window frames, door frames, wall paninvention are hereinafter` more fully` described 15- els, ceiling panels etc., of such character as to aIlCLClafmed, and albuildingstlucture-landDarts bereadily assembled without necessity,h of shapthereofl embodying.. our` invention is shown in the ingthe same at the point of` erection. aCCOmDaDyrlgudlaM/ngs iIlWhiChe-A Pursuant to this general. object, we provide Fig. 1f: is aside elevation'ofone forrnofibuildgo pre-fabricated eo1umns,prefabricated panels for ing- Which-ourv form and arrangement 0f pre- 20 `vvall elements with the columns having grooves fabricated, structure is. adapted tobuild.

to receive ends ofthe panels or tongues prol-lig.-` 2.is..a...horizonta1 sectiony takensubstanvided on frame elements as for windows or doors tally Online 2.-2.of Fie.` 1. that maybe readily erected to formv an enclo- Fg isfalvertical section taken on line 3-3 5 sure with various Wall, floor, ceiling, roofing, and OfFg- 1 Showing a WldOW` frame andrelatOn- 25 partition elements as hereinafter more specically ship, thereof with .the panelfwalls.

described. FigaA is VaVerticalsectiontaken on line 4--4 A further feature and object of the invention of "Fig, 1... l is to provide pre-fabricated elements for. thefor- Fig. 5is ai sectional detail of acorner of the 3f) mation of a building which generally consists of building taken .substantially on line55 of Fig. 1. 30 a standard size as length of column or widthand Fig. 6 is a. vertical` section taken on line 6 6 length of panels and frame elements for doors of-.Fig 5 showing the concrete floorslab and the and Windows, manner.Y of applying panelsfto` the exterior face A further feature of the invention is-involved thereofl and vmetal beams for supporting the in the column construction, the. grooving theresame. 35

of to receive panels or frame elements and the Fig. 'l is an enlarged section throughy a winconstructicnof the columns in sections to permit dow and its pre-formed-frame taken on line 1 1 the erection of the building walls in like sections ofFig. 1'.

successively one above the other for the height of Fig. 3 is ahorizontal section through a, side 40 the building. Wall' column and the Walland partition panels 40 A further object of the invention is to proadjacentithereto.

vide a new and unique means for supporting a Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical cross section of ceiling formed of separate panels in respect to the pre-fabricated AWall panels and belt course an upper loor or roof structure. taken online 9l-9`of` Fig. 1.

It is further a feature and objectl of the in- Fig. 10 is a., horizontal section taken on line 45 vention to provide a building of pre-fabricated Ill-Illcf Fig. 9; elements for forminghollow walls with tie Imeiri- Figfll is a. fragmentary cross section of the bers for supporting the pre-fabricated panels inner wall, andsupporttherefor similar to that in properly spaced relation and'providing a chamshown, in Fig; 9.

n ber that may be filled with insulation such as Fig: 12 isa vertical crossl section through a 50` rock wool or any useable type of insulation mafloor and4 ceiling structuretherebelow showing terial. the metal framework and mannerof. supporting A further feature of the invention is involved the ceiling blocks or panels. in the provision of a series of slab-like ceiling Fig.l 13'isa plan View ofthergroupY ofceiling elements suspended from above by a new-iand panels,v

Fig. 14 shows a means of securing the last to be erected ceiling panel in position and manner of adjustment thereof to proper level with the remainder of the ceiling.

Fig. 15 is a vertical section of a column formed of pre-fabricated sections.

Fig. 16 is a cross section taken on line I6I6 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 1'7 is a section through a portion of the window frame and belt course taken on line I'I`-II of Fig. 1, and showing the tongue and groove relationship thereof.

Fig. 18 is a detail of means for supporting a panel to a oor slab. Y

The system of construction of buildings according to our invention as hereinafter set forth is adapted for the construction of various types of buildings even buildings of several stores in height and as well as` dwelling houses and stores or commercial buildings of one or two stories in height for which our system of .building construction is best adapted although the invention is not limited thereto.

For the purpose of illustration of a'building constructed in accordance with our invention, we have shown a one-story structure in side elevation in Fig. 1 and the side wall includes the vertical columns I, 2 and 3, the panels 4, 5 and 6 between the columns I and 2 and 1, 8, 9 and I0 between the columns 2 and 3. Between the panels 4 and 5 and 5 and 6 there is a horizontal belt course II and there is a similar belt course between the panels 'I and 8, 9 and I0.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a prefabricated structure and thus columns are pre-cast at the factory and panels and window and door framing as indicated at I2 in Figs. 1 and 3 are also pre-formed and delivered to the building site for erection. It will be understood from the cross section Fig, 2 that the walls are formed of inner and outer spaced panels, the outer panels 5, 8 and 9 having correspondingly formed inner panels 5a, 8a and 9a. These may be formed of any convenient material utilized for building construction such as concrete or like material that may be pre-cast and of suflcient strength and rigidity for the purpose. For the erection of the panels the columns, it is pointed out that the columns, for instance the column I, in the structure shown, has grooves I3 and I4 on one face to receive the end of the panels I5 and I6 and is grooved also on another face to receive a tongue on the pre-cast frame I2 of the window I3 and that this frame also is grooved on the opposite vertical side to receive edges of the panels 5 and 5a.

Thus, subsequent to the preparation of the foundation, the columns are rst erected and the panels then by proper hoisting equipment raised to the top of the pairs of columns and moved down the grooves thereof until each wall section is completed. Between the panels forming the walls is placed an insulation such, for instance, as rock wool or any adaptable form of heat and cold insulating material indicated at II. It is possible for buildings of one or two stories, to form the columns in single lengths but it is possible that these columns may be made in sections and necessarily so for construction of buildings of several stories in height in order that the precast units may be conveniently handled by ordinary trucking equipment.

A cross section of the wall taken on line 4-4 of Fig. l is shown in Fig. 4 and it will there be seen that the lower panel 4 may extend to below the ground surface and may even extend to the footing although it is shown here as terminating at the dotted line I8, The column is notched in its outer face to receive a metal beam, here shown as an I beam I9, which extends from column to column and supports the outer edge o'f the oor slab 20 which terminates at or close to the inner face of the outer panel 4. This oor slab 2i] and ceiling slab 23 may be cast in place or formed of separate pre-cast blocks. The belt course or element II is grooved longitudinally to receive the upper edge of the lower panel 4 and recessed or otherwise formed as hereinafter shown to receive the lower edge of the next upper panel 5 while the upper belt course IIa is likewise arranged to receive the upper edge of the panel 5 and lower edge of the panel 5.

The columns are also notched at the proper heights to receive the I beam 22 and the ceiling slab 23 (similar to the door slab 2E!) has its outer peripheral edge resting upon the beams. Thus these slabs are sustained in position and insulation I'l is filled in between the wall panels as each course of panels is erected.

The manner of sustaining the inner and outer wall panels from displacement is shown more clearly in Figs. 9 and 19. In Fig. 9 the belt course or member I I is shown as having a groove 24 to receive the upper edge of a lower panel, as for instance the panel 4, while the upper edge of the horizontal member II is formed to provide a ridge 25 having angular side portions and the bottom edge of the next upper panel 5, for instance, is formed with a corresponding V groove to t thereover. cement 25, is provided between the panel 5 and. the ridge 25. It is to be noted that this construction is of considerable importance as the upper face of the belt element II is exposed to the elements and water might pass between the panel l 5 and belt member II but due to arranging this with an inclined face as stated, water will not move upwardly through the inner face of the outer wall. Also, by this arrangement, the lower edge of the panel 5 is held from displacement equally as well as the upper edge of the member 4 which fits into a groove in the lower edge of the belt element II.

The inner slabs also require to be sustained in some structures particularly if there be a considerable distance between columns. For this purpose, we provide a metal U shaped channel 27 for the upper edge of the lower panel 4a opposite the outer panel 4 and a similar U channel 28 reversely positioned to receive the lower edge of the inner wall panel 5a. These extend to the inner face of the inner wall panel 4a and 5a and a finish strip 29 may be secured thereto in any approved manner as by providing an upper hook end 30 which ts within the inner flange of the channel element 28. This finish strip has an inwardly extending flange 3| at its lower edge extending to contact with the inner face of the lower panel 4a. A screw 32 may be provided for securely fastening the finish strip in place. The lower channel member 2l in the construction here shown has an eye member 33 secured thereto to receive an end 54 of the tie bolt or rod 35, The opposite end of this tie bolt is formed with a hook portion 36 which engages in an eye 3l that is pre-cast in the belt element Il and likewise formed with a bent end 38 to prevent its withdrawal. The belt element II is provided with a recess 39 into which the eye portion extends and permitting the hook end 36 to be introduced into the eye 3l.

A filler as, for instance CIN i `Inuthe erectionofsthefpanels, the bottom panel' elements drandf dador-instance, ofthe two wall structuresearegintroduced. between the columns, the belt portion laid'on` the topoftthe panel 4a and the bottom channel 21 carrying the spanner wall retainer 35 on the top of themember la after first introducing the hook end over the eye 3l and then the upper panels r5 and'a are positioned and theinner.` finish strip 290 mounted on the ilangesoflthe two channel vmembers 21 and Z8, then thenext panel'elements 5'and 5a, are positionedin respect to the-belt: and the -channel elements as beforeiidescribed.V The vertical height of thegpanels may vary and `there may be more than two belt courses Il as is shown in Fig. 2. These belt courses are preferably spaced a distancefapart approximately equal to the height of a` window-or door frame element placed therebetween to provide a continuation thereof from post topostas is thecase with the window frame shown in Fig. 1.

l Theinner finishstrip may be of various forms, an alternative form` being shown in Fig. l1 wherein the nish strip 29a is of rectangular form having anupperhook endi 30 vto engage over the channel'elernents 2. and 28 as in the form shown in Fig. 9.- The finish strip 29a may be secured in place bya `screw 3 la.`

It is to be noted that the-lower panelelement il, as shown -in` Fig. 3, extendsto below the ground surface to the footingand may rest on a block 96. This block; Qllmayfbe grooved to receivethe lower edgeof the panel and it may be cemented in place as indicated at 9'.; One purpose of this arrange ment is to properly support the lower panel and panel structure thereabove in the one-story structure shown and this arrangement also prevents rodents from entering-therbuilding from below the floor line. It is also to be notedthatthe panel Il,

- when'formed, may be provided with a series of studs shown at 2j! in Figs. 3 and Llfor the floor slab and similar studs 2 la for the roof slab 23 as shown in Figs; 3, 4 `and 185 This arrangement Vis utilized when the-floor and roofslabs are formed in place. If "the roof and iloorsslabs were formed in small pre-cast units as 82 which would run from one side beam iSof Fig. 3 to a beam in the opposite wall, we provide the panel `dfwith threaded inserts 33 of any approved form andfplaced in position at the time ofthe forming of the panel. At the time of erection, we provide an angle iron M'which is secured to the inserts by a bolt 95 for each insert and similarlysecured to the floor slab by bolts 95. Thus, with either ofthe forms shown, the panel is supported by the floor and ifthe` building be of more thanV two stories. height the lower slab of each storyI will .be likewise supportedto relieve the lower panels ofthe weightof `the upper panels but such supporting of alower panel is unnecessary if theweightto which the lower panel is subjected is not so great' as to injure the panel which is oi'a lightweight construction.

A feature of the inventionis in the provision of the pre-castframe elements forwindow or door openings, which frame elements are constructed forthe construction of the hollow wall and colm umns utilizedas a part ofthe structure. Such a window'frame `is shown in'section in Fig. '7 in which the wall panels 5 and rEnt are shown and also `the pre-cast window frame indicated at dil. This frame is formed'preferably of the same material as the panel-members or columns and is grooved asat lll and Wto receive the vertical edges of the panels Sand Etrand on the otherside is shownas formed with` a comparatively wide tongue ilnfitting agroove 44 in the vertical side ofthe column lw-hich, on its other side, is formed with grooves d5: and lieto receive the panels 41 and fit of the side wallof the building.

' The pre-cast window frame may be vreinforced with metal rodsas indicated at E9: and the tie members which preferably extend about all four sides of the window frame. In the construction shown in Fig. 7, a metal window frame 5I is positioned in the frame i6 at the time it is cast and a metal window sash 52er any approved construction may be mounted in the frame. However, so far as the pre-cast window frame 40 is concerned, the framing to.` receive the window or the door .is not of necessity made of metal as wood framing elements for the window may be mounted in the precast frame.

Alfeature of the door and window frame con struction is in the provision of a pre-cast frame for association with columns and wall panels or wall' panels only as is the case with the window 53 shown in Fig. l in which case both vertical sides ofthe window frame have parallel grooves similar to the grooves M and 42 of Fig. '7 to receive the panels 8 and 9 and corresponding inner panels as well as the upper panels ill, lower panel 'i and corresponding inner panel. While a door frame is not shown in the drawings, it is of the same character of construction as the window frame. The said belt element is formed with a tongue on its end section abutting the frame as shown at 53 in section in Fig. 16.

As previously stated, the floor and ceiling slabs extend between the columns to the vertical outer wall panels. These slabs are sustained at their outer edges by beams as I9 and 22 carried by the columns and it is pointed out that, at the columns which form the corners of the building, there is provided inthe pre-:fabricated column a right angle metal plate 55, one side of Vwhich is attached to alongitudinally extending beam as I9 on one side and the other leg extending to ahorizontal beam and thus the `floor or roof slab is supported at its periphery on the metal I beams. In the intermediate column such as the column 2, there is provided at the time of forming a metal plate 5l which extends transversely of the column and projects on opposite sides thereof to which beams 5t and 56a are secured. These beams are positioned between the outer and inner vertical wall panels.

The columns likewise are preferably reinforced as shown in Fig. 8 by metal rods 58 and transverse tie elements 59 and in the construction shown in Fig. 8 are shown the outer and inner wall panels and this intermediate column is also grooved to receive an intermediate panel 6I] forming a partition, extending transversely of the building and which is but a single wall as insulation is not generally required between rooms of a building. However, if so required, it is to be understood that spaced walls may be provided to extend into correspondingnotches in the column to provide an insulated partition element. It is thus to be seen that the floor elements are sustained on pre-fabricated I beams supported by the columns which columns have brackets to which the beams are attached, the brackets being introduced in the columns at the time of the fabrication thereof.

It is desirable that a nished ceiling be provided below a roof element such as the slab 23 or a second story floor as the case may be. The ceiling `element is of pre-fabricated construction formed of light weight panels or blocks'such as are indicated generally in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 and [Mil that the ceiling is to be supported at some little distance below the upper oor or roof slab as the case may be. Both the floor slab 20 and the roof or second floor slab 23 are supported upon the marginal iron beams as heretofore stated, but if these slabs are pre-fabricated, they are made in sizes capable of being handled and eX- tend from beam to beam in the opposite side walls.

The ceiling proper is indicated at 6| in Fig. 4 and is shown in Fig. 3 as consisting of a series of panels which may be of various shapes but here shown as, and preferably are, of rectangular form in outline. These slabs have a nished under surface ready to receive a decoration as is also the case with the inner walls and other structure such as window or door frames. The ceiling element is suspended below the ceiling or floor slab 23 and is spaced therefrom as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 12. This spacing may receive a piping or conduits of any type that may be required in a building and where necessary, piping or conduits (not here shown) can be introduced between the vertical wall panels. .What we have termed the finished ceiling 8l is formed of a series of slabs as heretofore stated which require to be suspended from the floor or roof slab 23. For this purpose, in the formation of the roof or iloor slabs 23, we provide inserts 63 which are of a tubular form as shown in Fig. l2 and have portions such as 64 extending into the floor slab and positioned therein at the time of forming the slab which tend to prevent withdrawal of the inserts from the slab. The lower end of the tubular insert is open to receive a hook 65 of a link 66 which is hooked over a bar 61 in the insert. The lower end of the link 86 is also formed with a hook portion 68 which supports an I beam 69. After the oor slabs are erected and the beams 68 placed thereacross in suicient number, the ceiling slabs 62 may be positioned.

The ceiling slabs also have metal inserts 18 of hollow form and shaped to prevent withdrawal and formed in the slab 62 at the time it is made. This insert has a bar 1I about which the hook end of a rod l2 may be introduced. This rod 12 has an upper end '13 of hook form to engage over the upper edge of a channel beam 14 running transversely of the beam 59. There are thus a series of parallel beams 69 running in one direction and parallel beams 14 at a right angle thereto below the roof element. The slabs B2 forming the finished ceiling usually have four inserts l0 adjacent the corners and the link 12 hooks over the channel beams '14. These beams 14 are sustained in position by a link 'l5 having a hook end '16 engaging beneath the beam 'I4 and also has a hook end 11 engaging over the beam 69. Thus the beams 'I4 are suspended from the beams 89 and a turn buckle 18 is provided between the links 15 and 11 respectively having threaded ends for the opposite ends of the turn buckle. The beams 69 and 14 are provided to permit ready assembly of the ceiling panels to the roof as the inserts in the roof slab and panel are not usually in vertical alignment. With a slab thus suspended by the described adjustable means, the ceiling panels may be leveled. Thus each of the ceiling panels except some last one thereof are suspended one by one and adjusted to the proper level. The edges of the slabs 66 are grooved as indicated at 19 and are spaced a slight distance apart as shown in Fig. 12 to receive a grouting which is forced into the crevices and up into the enlarged portion formed by the adjacent grooves 19. This enlarged portion of the grouting forced into the grooves prevents the cement or grouting from dropping out after it has once set.

Each of the ceiling panels 62 are thus erected one at a time and leveled up as the space between the panels and roof slab permits the workman to engage the hooks over the respective beams and adjust the turn buckles. However, there remains one panel of finished ceiling indicated at 80 in Fig. 13 to be erected. 'Ihis panel 88 requires a little different treatment than the others because the last slab closes the only opening to above the ceiling and has to be handled from below. For this purpose, as shown in Fig. i4, the link 12a, Which corresponds to the bar 12 of Fig. 12, extends through the ceiling panel which is apertured for the purpose and formed with a recess in its under face indicated at 8|. A nut is placed on the projecting end of the rod 12 permitting the block 80 to be leveled. The rod 12a has a hook end similar to the rod 12 of Fig. 12 to hook over a convenient beam 14 and has its edges provided with the grooves shown at 'i9 in Fig. 12 so that it may be cemented in place. This finishes the erection of the preformed finished ceiling panels and provides a surface to receive a decoration of any convenient type, as paint, paper, calsomine or the like or the blocks themselves may be formed with a surface that provides the finish as, for instance, by forming the surfaces of the blocks 62 and 80 with a glazed and colored surface. This, however, is inconvenient Where the grouting lines, which will be required in such structure, are not objectionable. Also, in the structure shown in Fig. 14, after the nuts have been adjusted on the rod l2, the r-ecess may be filled with a proper material to conceal the same and it is the intention to also use a grouting between the outer edge of the formed ceiling member where it contacts with the wall surfaces.

Where it is desired to form columns of such length as not to be readily transportable if formed of a single piece they may be formed in sections. In such case, the lowermost section such as the section 82 of Fig. 15 is formed with four rods 83 which project upwardly from the end of section 82. The next upper section 85 of the colmun may be formed with four openings 84 as, for instance, by introducing a metal tube in the form in which the columns are cast so that the tubes will cast in place and these tubes extend upwardly from the lower end of the upper section 85 for the full length of the projecting ends of the rod 83 and then are outturned as indicated at 86 and open through the surface of the column section 85. These column sections are erected as shown in Fig. 15, with the projecting ends of the rods 83 of the lower section 82 extending into the tubes 86 of the upper section 85. Cement may then be poured into the open ends 86 of each of the tubes and thus cement the rod ends in place in the section 85. For the purpose of strengthening the lower end of the section 85, tie irons or cables 8l may be wound around the tubular elements after the manner indicated in Fig. 16. By this means, columns can be made in sections of sufficient strength and of lengths that may be readily handled and likewise the rod ends that are inserted in the section 82 may be tied together as by wire or cable 88. When the columns and sections are erected, the building is constructed by rst erecting the bottom column sections, filling `in the sidewall panels'-andfwins` dow frames and door frames where necessary-zas hereinbefore described, andthen the second c olumn sections arev erected and the rod 'endstcemented in place as described and ther.eafterthe panels and belt courses etc., forming thecwall sections are erected in the same manner as the first. y

In the foregoing description, the various necessary structural elements and relationship thereof have been described. The purpose-of prefabrication is to secure material at the `least cost possible which may be transported to a building site and there -erected after the general manner-herein disclosed to secure an inexpensive but serviceable structure for various purposes as dwellings, stores, garages or even buildings of two or more stories in height.

It will be noted from the foregoing, that by making this material on a production basis at a plant equipped for the purpose, the various elements required for the formation of the structure may be made of comparatively cheap material and at little labor cost and that the building may be constructed without the requirement of highly skilled mechanics and in a minimum of time and therefore at the least possible eX- pense. Thus, through the formation of the various elements for quick erection, we have provided a system of building construction that attains this principal object of lessened cost in materials and in time and with hand labor of the partially skilledtype. l

It is believed from the foregoing description, that the various features and objects of the in vention are attained by the structures as described and their mode of assembly and it is pointed out that various changes and modifications may be made in one or more of the elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus fully described our invention, its mode of operation, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States l. In building construction, a. pair of precast column elements, each having a pair of parallel vertical grooves in the respective opposed faces, an inn-er and outer wall element, each comprising panels in a vertical plane for engaging in the respective grooves providing a hollow wall section therebetween, an element providing a horizontal belt course extending from column to column and positioned between the opposed horizontal edges of the successive vertical panels forming the outer face of the wall in a tongue and groove relationship therewith.

2. In building construction, a pair of pre-cast column elements, each having a pair of parallel vertical grooves in the respective opposed faces, an inner and outer wall element, each comprising panels in a vertical plane for engaging in the respective grooves providing a hollow wall section therebetween, a unitary pre-cast frame element for defining an opening in the wall and assembled in a tongue and groove association with the said panels, and an element providing a horizontal belt course extending from column to column and positioned between the opposed horizontal edges of the successive vertical panels forming the outer face of the wall in a tongue and groove relationship therewith.

3. In building construction, a pair of pre-cast column elements, each having a pair of parallel vertical-grooves; in therespective opposed faces, an inneriandgouter-,Wall element, each comprising panels, linaqgvertical plane fori engaging in` the respectivegroovesproviding av hollow wall section therebetween, an element providing a horizontal -belt7course extending fromcolumn to col- .umn and;` positioned between the opposed horizontal edges of the successive vertical panels forming the outer face of the wall in a tongue andI groove relationshiptherewith, panel sup"A porting means betweenthe horizontal edges of the successive vertical panels of the inner Wall element, and means connecting the said belt coursewith the saidpanel supporting means. 4e-In buildingconstruction, ,a pair of pre-cast column elements, each having a pair of parallel vertical grooves in the respective opposed faces, an inner and outer wall element, each comprising panels in a vertical plane for engaging in the respective grooves providing a hollow wall section therebetween, a unitary pre-cast frame element for defining an opening in the wall and assembled in a tongue and groove association with the said panels, panel supporting means between the horizontal edges of the successive vertical panels of the inner wall element, and means connecting the said belt course with the said panel supporting means.

5. In building construction, a pair of pre-cast column elements, each having a pair of parallel vertical grooves in the respective opposed faces, an inner and outer wall element, each comprising panels in a vertical plane for engaging in the respective grooves providing a h'ollow wall section therebetween, an element providing a horizontal belt course extending from column to column and positioned between the opposed horizontal edges of the successive vertical panels forming the outer face of the wall in a tongue and groove rela* tionship therewith, an element having an upper and a lower groove positioned between the hori- Zontal edges of the successive vertical panels of the inner wall element, and means connecting the belt course of the outer wall panel with the said grcoved element of the inner wall panel.

6. In building construction, a pair of pre-cast column elements, each having a pair of parallel vertical grooves in the respective opposed faces, an inner and outer wall element, each comprising panels in a vertical plane for engaging in the respective grooves providing a hollow wall section therebetween, an element providing a horizontal belt course extending from column to column and positioned between the opposed horizontal edges of the successive vertical panels forming the outer face of the wall in a tongue and groove relationship therewith, and a finish strip on the inner face of the inner wall panel supported by the inner portion of the said grooved element.

7. In building construction, a floor slab, supporting means therefor including column elements, a nished ceiling depending from a oor slab, said ceiling comprising a series of panel like elements and means for suspending the panel elements relative to the iioor slab thereabove, said means comprising a beam extending beneath the floor slab, a sustaining rod engaging the beam element at its lower end, means for securing the upper end of said rod in the floor slab, means for suspending each ceiling panel from the slab comprising an element secured to the said beam, an element secured to a panel, an adjusting means between the said two last named elements by means of which the ceiling panels may be positioned to occupy substantially the same plane,

the abutting edges of the ceiling panels being grooved, a cementitious grouting in the grooves forming a connecting element between the said panels, one panel of the group of ceiling panels having apertures therein, and a rod extending from each of the apertures to the said beam, the projecting end of the rod being threaded to receive a nut and the exposed lower face of the said one panel being recessed to receive a nut whereby the said one panel of the series may be adjusted from a position below the lower face of the panel.

8. In building construction, a column formed of vertical sections, the' upper end of a lower section having a series of rods embedded therein at one end and projecting ther'eabove;l reinforcing means about the ends of the rods embedded in the said column section, the lower end of an upper column section having a series of apertures therein to receive the projecting rod ends of the lower section, the said apertures extending vertically a distance in the column and at the upper ends extending outwardly and opening through the face of the column to receive a cementitious material subsequent to erection of the sections, and reinforcing means in the lower end of the upper section extending about the series of apertures therein.

CHARLES SUITER. HAROLD R. SUITER. 

